SynBio Africa was founded as an After iGEM initiative in early 2018, originally as SynBio Uganda. This is the very first synthetic biology platform in Africa that brings together scientists, researchers, policy makers, academicians, students, and the wider community to discuss and embrace the benefits of synthetic biology to the development of Africa’s bioeconomy, solve health problems and improve on agricultural products for a better food security. This platform is aimed at enabling synthetic biology propagation throughout Africa, along with all its potential benefits. SynBio Africa is legally Registered with the Uganda Registration services Bureau, URSB Reg. No. 80020001237039.

Key Events.

• December 2023: Launched Synthetic Biology Research Experience for Africans (SynBREA). A pilot transformative ten-week summer undergraduate and graduate (Master) research program in synthetic biology at Northwestern University, U.S.A.
• November 2023: iGEM Makerere University team, supported by SynBio Africa and sponsored by LanzaTech, participated in the iGEM Jamboree in Paris, France. The team won a Silver Medal 🥉 
• July 2023: Organized the second (SBA2.0) International synthetic biology and biosecurity conference in Africa, hosted in Kampala, Uganda.
• May 2023: The Founder (Geoffrey Otim) received SynBioBeta Impact Award at the annual Global synthetic biology conference organized by SynBioBeta in Oakland, US.
• March 2023: SynBio Africa announced as the winner of BioTech Company of the year 2023/2024 by Africa Prestige Award. 
• February 2023: Pandemic Preparedness and Response Technical Training workshop for Southern Africa participants, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Hosted by National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
• November 2022: Pandemic Preparedness and Response Technical Training workshop for Western Africa participants, in Accra, Ghana. Hosted by Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
• November 2022: iGEM Makerere University team, supported by SynBio Africa and sponsored by LanzaTech, participated in the iGEM Jamboree in Paris, France.
• September 2022: Pandemic Preparedness and Response Technical Training workshop for Northern Africa participants, in Entebbe, Uganda.
• June 2022: Pandemic Preparedness and Response Technical Training workshop for Eastern and Central Africa participants, in Entebbe, Uganda.
• April 2022: Launched a one-year pandemic preparedness and response initiative in Africa (SBA Global Catastrophic biological risks initiative), sponsored by Open Philanthropy.
• April 2022: Organized iGEM Africa Teams showcase hybrid event in Entebbe, Uganda.
• Feb-April 2022: Trained 42 trainees from 22 African countries in Bioinformatics and Data science.
• October 2021: Organized the first (SBA1.0) International synthetic biology and biosecurity conference in Africa, and official launch.
• October 2021: Emerging Leaders in synthetic biology and biosecurity program, sponsored by Ginkgo Bioworks. 16 Fellows from 14 African countries were selected and sponsored to attend SynBio Africa Conference in Kampala, Uganda.
• May 2021: Recruited Six (6) SynBio Africa Ambassadors, representing Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern Africa.
• May 2020: iGEM Makerere University Team participated in in the After iGEM Entrepreneurship program.
• October 2019: Founder awarded the Global community Bio Fellowship to participate and present at the Global community Biosummit at MIT Media Lab, Boston, US.
• August 2019: Founder awarded the Global South Biosecurity Diplomacy Fellowship to attend and present at the Global South Biosecurity Diplomacy workshop in Geneva, Switzerland.
• October 2018: Founder awarded Biosecurity Fellowship by Johns Hopkins center for Health security to attend the SynBioBeta conference in San Francisco, California, US.
• October 2018: SynBio Africa participated in Biomaker challenge, a University of Cambridge initiative led by Jim Haselof.
• October 2018: iGEM Makerere University team participated and represented at the iGEM Jamboree in Boston, US.
• September 2018: SynBio Africa Registered as a limited company by shares with the Uganda Registration service Bureau, URSB Reg. No: 80020001237039.
• July 2018: SynBio Africa participated in an open science day at Uganda Virus Research Institute.
• March 2018: SynBio Africa was founded and hosted at Makerere University, College of Veterinary, Animal Resources and Biosecurity.
• November 2017: iGEM Makerere University team formed, first iGEM Team from East frica.
• September 2017: First meeting with BBS Head of Department and selected lecturers from COVAB, Makerere University to discuss starting iGEM Team and establishing Synthetic Biology center (Dr. Okuni Julius Boniface, Dr. Anne Kazibwe, and Dr. Odongo Steven). 
• June 2017: The Founder (Geoffrey Otim) attended his first synthetic biology conference in Singapore (SB7.0)